Off My Chest
RULES:
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Okay this is fixable, you are just going about it the hard way.
First do you have a 4 year school that you would like to attend and you have an idea about a degree you want? Use community college to get all your general education stuff out of the way. It is cheaper and you are in smaller classes in CC so more attention from the instructor.
Have a broad idea about a 4 year degree. Then go to a CC and ask to see an advisor. Advisors are one of your best tools to navigate college. Tell them you would like to get an associates degree in general education. That will take you through the end of your sophomore year. You can then take that associates degree and skip all the general ed classes at the 4 year school.
It is much much easier to do this if the CC and the 4 year school are in the same state. The CC advisor will know exactly how to get this done the best way.
Another really good resource is https://www.transferology.com it can tell you what credits transfer between what schools and what kind of credit it will become.
Oh also ask the advisor about scholarships. They are very much worth the trouble. Sadly Pell grants just don't cover what they used to
Nope. My intention was to participate in UROP type activities and maybe some other stuff. I know far too many people who are paying off their student loans in careers that have nothing to do with their degree.
"Do two years at a CC and transfer." is something I've heard about many, many times. If I could do two years and enter as a freshman, I would. At best, CC is what high school should be.
I am way too old for scholarships at this point. Ironic, because one of the reasons I wanted to get better classes in HS was because I wanted to prep for scholarships. My HS really, really didn't want to talk to me about any of that.
FYI getting a UROP might be a little hard. Not saying you shouldn't try but often there aren't that many spots. It will vary a lot depending on the school.
So you really have to do it as a transfer student. Applying straight to a 4 year school may require a certain GPA in HS, ACT/SAT and you will be in the pool with all the HS applications. Transfer student have a different pool, and most colleges reserved a certain number of spots for transfers.
So CC is definitely not like HS. Yes they teach some of the same classes, but that is just for people who didn't learn that subject in HS so you are prepared for college level courses. That is not most of CC, CC is mostly 100/200 level courses that are real college courses, many of my CC professors also taught at the local 3 year school. They used the exact same material they used at the 4 year school.
Honestly my CC courses were way better than the ones at the 4 year school. Learn more, it was easier to ask questions, etc. CC are different all over, but mine had 30 students per class. I had classes at the 4 year that had 200 students. There you got a lecture and we're just expected to keep up.
There are a lot more adult students now. Many schools have a specific office that is there just as a resource for adult students. There are scholarships for adults many are open to all ages. You are not too old for a scholarship, this is exactly the stuff that an advisor will walk you through.
CC advisors will see you before you are enrolled and will give you a much better understanding of what is the best path for you. To them your story is not new or something to be ashamed of. They see GED students every day and they can help steer you through the right order to take classes so you don't have difficulties you had before. They are a wealth of information. I left a lot on the table because I didn't understand the things they can help with until it was too late to take advantage. If I could go back I would have spent way more time in their office.
I know it feels like a big hurdle to deal with. I was right there with you. I had such a bad time in HS it took me 10 years before I was willing to try school again. I really didn't know if I could do it at first. But every year it gets easier to deal with.
Yes. I've seen the acceptance rates. One of the reasons I want to redo high school is to reset my GPA and apply as a freshman. The acceptance rates are better. At least the ones I looked at.
I've heard the exact same lines used to describe the difference between remedial HS classes and the regular ones. When I took a CC class, the teacher would often emphasize picking topics that were easy. She used her example of "studying" cat behavior because it let her sit on her back porch and sip tea. One day, I came in early to the morning class and overheard her shittalking the intelligence of her regular session students and the interest of her summer session students.
I was already denied the geometry class I tried enrolling in once. I shouldn't have to explain why I want a certain class. I'm just a customer to them. This was a difference school from the biology one.
I'm trying to be polite, but I'm older then you think I am.
Okay man whatever you do you. I was just trying to give you a few thoughts about the best way to go about this. Seeing I did it and a friend of mine did the same thing. All you seem to want to do is complain and tell me how things don't work for you. If that is really your approach to this. I would recommend not going to a 4 year college. All this shit gets harder and you have less help.
It doesn't feel that way. Oh and I guarantee that I am older then you think I am